apparently i'm more popular when I'm single

While I don't normally pay attention to analytics from this blog, I will occasionally peruse my stats and see when and where people are reading and what seems to be better days to post versus others. (Yes, my dear, I see you!)

When I took a blogging break back in September, everyone took a liking to my new single status and must've shared this blog with everyone and their mothers but I'm not complaining. Keep on reading, friends!

The most popular question I get now from friends is - "Are you dating yet?"

Hmmmm. Let me be honest here. I'm not going to pull a J.Lo or a Madonna and start dating someone incredibly younger than me to where you all will think, "What the hell has gotten into her?" Will not be happening.

But with the end of a very serious relationship, I'm taking time for myself and doing whatever the hell I want, when I want. I was consistently in relationships for the last eight years, compromising my wants and desires way more than the boys did, and I promised myself I would take at least six months to relax, unwind, reconnect with new and old friends and refocus on what I want before I even think about hopping on the dating scene. No dating, just me, myself and I. (Sing it, Beyonce!)

And........I'm still on the fence about putting myself out in the dating scene, depending on which day it is of course.

Even thinking about it causes some anxiety because I'm not even remotely interested in a relationship. Commitment. None of it. At this point, I am to dating as what kryptonite is to SuperMan. And, not to mention this all seems so complicatedddddddd and sooooo much work. Don't text me if you get my number, call me.

Anyway, I'm on the defense and my walls are up pretty high around me. While the walls won't stay up forever, I'm hesitant to take any of my friends up on introducing me to guys, going on blind dates or even calling back those numbers I have mostly because I'm just interested in having fun without the commitment. The last thing I want to do is hurt someone because I'm not in an open and truly trusting mindset quite yet.

I'll get there, I know I will, but I'm completely content and satisfied relishing in my newly found freedom and refined version of myself, which is more fashionable than ever before, if I do say so myself.

So, friends, hold onto those guys that will be PERFECT for me because you know never, I just may take you up on that offer sooner than I even think.

And, of course, I will share about alllllllllllllllllllll the good, bad and ugly dates that take place because if nothing else, I can laugh about the stories I'll have to share.

Update: Shout out to reader Marie who called in last night when Alexa and I appeared on This City show on CSF Radio. Glad I can entertain you and your coworkers!

I love how open and honest you are about what you're feeling right now. Being afraid of getting hurt again is only natural, so taking the time to love yourself will boost your confidence in a way that you can't even fathom right now. Do you.

I am a huge proponent of staying away from dating for a while after the end of a relationship. When you're seeing someone, you end up changing a lot and I think it's helpful to figure out who you've changed into and if you'd like to make any other changes before jumping into something new. It's the best time to be selfish and have fun focusing on yourself - enjoy!

Allison is a 30 year-old young professional living in downtown Cleveland. Lover of all things fashion, sparkles, pop culture and dirty martinis with blue cheese stuffed olives who speaks at a very fast rate with a slight Cleveland accent.